MSSU Proposes A New Use For The Former Joplin Public Library Building

The Joplin City Council holds a special session to discuss taxes -- and a proposal for the old library building. Plans for the old building downtown involve Missouri Southern.This is the former library building at 300 South Main. For the past three months, it has sat vacant...quiet...and without a purpose. But now, that could be changing, take a look at these photos. They're renderings of a proposal from Missouri Southern State University to convert the building into a new academic facility. Something that's been underway for more than a year now.Hodson: "It's been a very exciting process for both the team and the university, when we looked at a variety of locations a variety of facilities it really was an exciting process." Once upon a time, the Joplin Junior College, which is now MSSU, sat downtown, but then, 50 years ago, it moved to the Mission Hills Farms at Duquesne and Newman Road, and started a new chapter. Now, at least part of the university, could be returning home.Hodson: "This is just a continuation of that 80 year history of working collaboratively with the community, to ensure both the city and the university are successful and vibrant." Hodson says a team with the university determined that the former library would effectively hold one department from the current campus, as for which one...Hodson: "The size of the facility will dictate that to some regard. It is 48,000 square feet, and so we know that we'll have to just select an academic department that can fully utilize the facility." The council approved moving forward -- allowing the city attorney to begin working on a contract with the university that best serves all interests.

The council also approved a city property tax rate increase by about ? of a cent -- to 17.94¢ per $100 of assessed valuation. That increase will fund the health, parks and solid waste service departments.

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A Joplin native, Chris first started in broadcasting at age 16 at KSNF-TV in 2004..

Chris joined the KOAM team in 2017 as an Associate Producer. In April, he moved into a full-time reporter position. He spent time from 2008 to 2016 in various retail roles around the region before returning to his passion at KOAM. Chris is excited to continue telling the stories of the four states.
Chris and his wife Amber live in Joplin and have three amazing children.

The man considered to be the world's best-known evangelist...the Reverend Billy Graham...died this morning at the age of 99. He reached millions of people through his crusades. And one of his crusaders...is a long-time Joplin preacher. Reverend Phil McClendon met Reverend Billy Graham at a crusade back in 1973.

The man considered to be the world's best-known evangelist...the Reverend Billy Graham...died this morning at the age of 99. He reached millions of people through his crusades. And one of his crusaders...is a long-time Joplin preacher. Reverend Phil McClendon met Reverend Billy Graham at a crusade back in 1973.

A Missouri lawmaker is pushing to remove vehicle inspections across the state. But not everyone is on board. Representative J. Eggleston proposed House Bill 1444 which would eliminate the need for safety inspections in Missouri.

A Missouri lawmaker is pushing to remove vehicle inspections across the state. But not everyone is on board. Representative J. Eggleston proposed House Bill 1444 which would eliminate the need for safety inspections in Missouri.

Journey Church in Joplin is beginning the process of converting a once overgrown field...into something for its neighbors. A "Growing Hope Garden". For the last five years, Journey Church at 4th and McKinley has had this plot of land. They didn't have any idea what to do with it, until now.

Journey Church in Joplin is beginning the process of converting a once overgrown field...into something for its neighbors. A "Growing Hope Garden". For the last five years, Journey Church at 4th and McKinley has had this plot of land. They didn't have any idea what to do with it, until now.

Twenty different teams flocked to Chanute to play pool. Many of us are aware of the unique abilities of service dogs. Robin Shipley: "They can do CPR, they can dial 911. But, for some, those service dogs do a lot more.

Twenty different teams flocked to Chanute to play pool. Many of us are aware of the unique abilities of service dogs. Robin Shipley: "They can do CPR, they can dial 911. But, for some, those service dogs do a lot more.

We told you last night about the discussions held by city council members in Joplin regarding a new pay plan for city employees. It's one that didn't sit well with everyone. At least at first. When asked about budgeting for raises City Finance Director Leslie Haase made a presentation to council, stating the city just doesn't have the money for pay increases for police and fire, or any other department.

We told you last night about the discussions held by city council members in Joplin regarding a new pay plan for city employees. It's one that didn't sit well with everyone. At least at first. When asked about budgeting for raises City Finance Director Leslie Haase made a presentation to council, stating the city just doesn't have the money for pay increases for police and fire, or any other department.

A work session tonight, for Joplin City Council. One of the items on the agenda, a new pay plan for city employees...which, of course, includes police officers and firefighters. The proposed plan returns the city to a "step" program, with each "step" being a different level for a certain position - and a pay level established for each step.

A work session tonight, for Joplin City Council. One of the items on the agenda, a new pay plan for city employees...which, of course, includes police officers and firefighters. The proposed plan returns the city to a "step" program, with each "step" being a different level for a certain position - and a pay level established for each step.

Icy roads have drivers in ditches... Joplin Police have instituted emergency road conditions as the number of crashes this afternoon began to escalate. At around 2:15 the Joplin Police Department was working 6 crashes at once taking officers away from other emergencies...so emergency road conditions were put into effect. Even heavily traveled roads like US 66 west of Galena saw people sliding off... This truck hitting a fence... MoDOT crews are running t...More >>

Icy roads have drivers in ditches... Joplin Police have instituted emergency road conditions as the number of crashes this afternoon began to escalate. At around 2:15 the Joplin Police Department was working 6 crashes at once taking officers away from other emergencies...so emergency road conditions were put into effect. Even heavily traveled roads like US 66 west of Galena saw people sliding off... This truck hitting a fence... MoDOT crews are running t...More >>

It's a move that's designed to adhere to new regulations and save money. Empire District Electric wants to implement wind turbines and close its plant in Asbury...something that's been in the works since last year. Tonight..the company held a public hearing. The meeting was packed - around 150 residents and city leaders came to express their concerns and support of the project.

It's a move that's designed to adhere to new regulations and save money. Empire District Electric wants to implement wind turbines and close its plant in Asbury...something that's been in the works since last year. Tonight..the company held a public hearing. The meeting was packed - around 150 residents and city leaders came to express their concerns and support of the project.

Could the State of Oklahoma become the latest state to implement a form of what's called "chemical castration" when it comes to certain sex offenders? Evidently...it's in the works. Oklahoma legislator Rick West introduced House Bill 2543 outlining what exactly counts as a "sexually violent offense" and how chemical castration could be the punishment.

Could the State of Oklahoma become the latest state to implement a form of what's called "chemical castration" when it comes to certain sex offenders? Evidently...it's in the works. Oklahoma legislator Rick West introduced House Bill 2543 outlining what exactly counts as a "sexually violent offense" and how chemical castration could be the punishment.